A sheet processing apparatus arranged in a space between an image reading section for reading an image and an image formation section for forming an image on a sheet includes a carry-in path guiding a sheet from a carry-in entrance; a relay roller provided in the carry-in path to relay and transport the sheet; a first transport path positioned on a downstream side of the relay roller and having a carry-in roller to transport the sheet from the carry-in path to the first collection tray; and a second transport path branched from the carry-in path and having a branch roller to transport the transported sheet to the second collection tray. The relay roller shifts the sheet in a direction crossing the transport direction while a front end of the sheet enters the first transport path or the second transport path, and arrives at the carry-in roller or the branch roller.

A sheet processing apparatus arranged in a space between an image reading section for reading an image and an image formation section for forming an image on a sheet includes a carry-in path guiding a sheet from a carry-in entrance; a relay roller provided in the carry-in path to relay and transport the sheet; a first transport path positioned on a downstream side of the relay roller and having a carry-in roller to transport the sheet from the carry-in path to the first collection tray; and a second transport path branched from the carry-in path and having a branch roller to transport the transported sheet to the second collection tray. The relay roller shifts the sheet in a direction crossing the transport direction while a front end of the sheet enters the first transport path or the second transport path, and arrives at the carry-in roller or the branch roller.

According to various examples, an assembly can include a backing. The assembly can also include a polymeric surfacing film adhered to the backing, the polymeric surfacing film. The polymeric surfacing film can include a first geometric shape. The polymeric surfacing film includes a continuous first cut defining the geometric shape and a continuous second cut spaced apart from and substantially congruent with the continuous first cut in at least one of an x and y direction. A portion of the polymeric surfacing film, located between the first cut and the second cut, is removable from the backing. According to some examples, the assembly can provide certain benefits over state of the art assemblies. For example, according to some examples, providing the first and second cut can make removal of at least the first geometric shape to be quicker and easier, which can result in significant savings in time and wasted materials.

A tool including a tool surface and further including coding indicia linked, at least indirectly, with the surface of the tool, the coding indicia capable of being detected by a sensor, the coding indicia functioning as a pointer to information relating to said tool or its use.

A system for cutting a three-dimensional portion from a foodstuff includes a conveyor for carrying a foodstuff to be portioned, a scanner located adjacent to the conveyor for scanning the foodstuff, a computer coupled to the scanner for receiving scan information to determine one or more cutting paths for the foodstuff, and a cutter for portioning the foodstuff according to the determined cutting path(s). The computer performs generally four steps: (i) receiving scan information from the scanner; (ii) building a three-dimensional map of the foodstuff based on the received scan information; (iii) fitting at least one desired shape, which is stored in the memory of the computer, onto the built three-dimensional map; and (iv) determining one or more cutting paths for portioning the foodstuff to produce one or more portioned foodstuffs corresponding to the at least one desired shape.

A system for cutting a three-dimensional portion from a foodstuff includes a conveyor for carrying a foodstuff to be portioned, a scanner located adjacent to the conveyor for scanning the foodstuff, a computer coupled to the scanner for receiving scan information to determine one or more cutting paths for the foodstuff, and a cutter for portioning the foodstuff according to the determined cutting path(s). The computer performs generally four steps: (i) receiving scan information from the scanner; (ii) building a three-dimensional map of the foodstuff based on the received scan information; (iii) fitting at least one desired shape, which is stored in the memory of the computer, onto the built three-dimensional map; and (iv) determining one or more cutting paths for portioning the foodstuff to produce one or more portioned foodstuffs corresponding to the at least one desired shape.

A thin-section preparation method and device includes, in a one-blade set state where an entire first cutting blade is held by a holder, performing a first rough cutting step of rough cutting an embedded block using a first end region of the first cutting blade, and a first main cutting step of main cutting the embedded block using a second end region of the first cutting blade; and further includes, in a two-blade set state where the second end region of the first cutting blade and a first end region of a second cutting blade are held by the holder, performing a second rough cutting step of rough cutting the embedded block using the second end region of the first cutting blade, and a second main cutting step of main cutting the embedded block using the first end region of the second cutting blade.

A thin-section preparation method and device includes, in a one-blade set state where an entire first cutting blade is held by a holder, performing a first rough cutting step of rough cutting an embedded block using a first end region of the first cutting blade, and a first main cutting step of main cutting the embedded block using a second end region of the first cutting blade; and further includes, in a two-blade set state where the second end region of the first cutting blade and a first end region of a second cutting blade are held by the holder, performing a second rough cutting step of rough cutting the embedded block using the second end region of the first cutting blade, and a second main cutting step of main cutting the embedded block using the first end region of the second cutting blade.

A slicer for cutting slices of elongated food products includes a machine housing and a slicing blade that is held by the machine housing. An electric slicing motor drives the slicing blade, and a control unit actuates the slicing motor using a pulse-width modulation. The control unit includes a microcontroller and a motor output stage. The microcontroller is configured to generate pulse-width-modulated control signals by varying at least one of an amplitude, a frequency or a pulse width of the control signals and to forward the control signals to the slicing motor.

A slicer for cutting slices of elongated food products includes a machine housing and a slicing blade that is held by the machine housing. An electric slicing motor drives the slicing blade, and a control unit actuates the slicing motor using a pulse-width modulation. The control unit includes a microcontroller and a motor output stage. The microcontroller is configured to generate pulse-width-modulated control signals by varying at least one of an amplitude, a frequency or a pulse width of the control signals and to forward the control signals to the slicing motor.